"Weddings are complicated," Ethan explains to Gertrude as they go into his room. He had no idea. He hands Gertrude Gwen's "to-do" list and asks her to get to work: Gwen deserves the best, he says. Gertrude thought he still loved Theresa. He says he has to keep that locked up in heart. Theresa wonders if she's going to be forced to watch Ethan re-commit to Gwen. "There is no way out," she decides, forcing a smile. As Ethan goes through the wedding instructions, Gwen interrupts, telling Gertrude she doesn't want her involved with this. Theresa is disturbed by this and wonders what she's up to.

In Little Ethan's room, Ethan asks Gertrude if she's in love with him. She thinks this over and tells herself that she can't reveal the truth. "Why does love have to be so difficult?" she cries. He repeats his question but she says she doesn't love him. He begins apologizing but she tells him he's amazing and any woman could fall in love with him. "Maybe in another place and another time, things could be different..." she says. He leaves and she repeats to herself that no one can discover that she's alive. She packs her bag and flashes back to thoughts of Ethan. Stopping herself, she calls her mother and asks her why she can't have a happy ending with Ethan.

"Theresa has to be Gertrude," Gwen concludes downstairs. She thinks back over all the hints and assumes that Little Ethan must have known the whole time. Rebecca is convinced. They repeat Theresa is Gertrude over and over again. "She is going to wish the sharks had eaten her," Gwen says. As Rebecca pours a drink, Gwen tells her that this is all her fault: She's the one who hired Gertrude. Rebecca tells her that she should be mad at Theresa, not her. Gwen apologizes and wonders what to do next. Rebecca gets a flash: "Call Juanita immediately." Gwen can't do that; she can't be responsible for the children dying. Rebecca says they can keep the children safe but this is the only way to deal with Theresa. "Deal with Theresa? What are you talking about?" Ethan asks, walking in. Before they can say anything, Gertrude arrives. Ethan explains to her that Gwen and Rebecca are talking about dealing with Theresa and he needs to know what it means. Rebecca suggests that Gertrude can answer all of his questions about Theresa.

Theresa paces in Little Ethan's room with the letter in her hands. She wonders how she can tell Ethan how she feels. He sticks his head in and asks her if there's something he needs to know. Theresa tells herself that Gwen poses a bigger threat than Juanita and turns to Ethan, telling him that she has a secret for him to keep. She then remembers that what she wants to say would mean doom for her children and tries to back out of it. He promises that she can trust him. Sitting on the bed, she explains that she is being kept from a very special man and she doesn't know if she can go on without him. "Maybe you don't have to," he suggests. She explains how much she wishes they could somehow end up together; she prays every day for it. It would kill her if she couldn't be with him. After listening to this, he apologizes for taking advantage of her as his "sounding board" about all things Theresa. She tells him how good and caring he is as she stares into his eyes. Taking all of her hints together, he asks her if she is in love with him.

Theresa paces around Little Ethan's room talking to herself about how Ethan will never read her letter. Ethan walks into the room and explains that the letter from Theresa has suddenly vanished. He thanks her for being there to talk to; he feels so close to her. "I'm here for you anytime," she blushes. He explains that he really does love Gwen... you just can't compare her to Theresa. But Theresa is dead and the kids need a mother. Marriage doesn't have to be exciting: It can just be nice and produce children who are productive member of society. Theresa suggests he wait and see if anyone else comes along. "Any other woman would pale in comparison to Theresa," he says before walking off. She decides to write the same letter and plant it again. After she writes it, she realizes that Gwen might find it and realize that it's a duplicate. Since this won't work, she'll have to come up with something new.

At the mansion, Theresa is packing up, unable to face seeing Ethan and Gwen getting married. Ethan walks in and glumly walks across the room. Theresa suggests that he doesn't seem too excited about the wedding. He's not; Gwen is marvelous but Theresa will always be the woman in his heart. She tells him that a love like Theresa's doesn't disappear even if she is in Heaven or someplace else... Ethan wonders how she can know such mystical things and asks her how she can know so much about Theresa. "It is so clear now," he starts. She always seems to understand him but how can that be since his love is gone and will never come back? He starts to babble; he doesn't know how he can marry Gwen when he knows they can't have the life he wants. He's sure that Theresa would want the children to have a mother though. "Any mother?" Theresa asks. He talks about how much Theresa loved her children and how good a mother Gwen is. Theresa suggests that he's wrong. He doubts it. Remembering the letter, he starts searching for it so he can read it. As he walks off to search, Theresa wonders how she can tell him what she wants now that Gwen has destroyed the letter.

In the corridor, Theresa complains to her mother that if Ethan goes through with the vow renewal ceremony she will have lost him forever. She vows to never give him up, but Pilar adamantly tells her to think about what’s at stake, namely her kids. She urges her daughter to go on the trip with the rest of the family so they can elude Juanita. Theresa tearfully tells her mother she’s right, she can’t put her children’s lives in danger and will protect them even if it means giving up the man she loves. She asks if Pilar talked to Ethan about taking the children on the trip and Pilar says not yet. Little Ethan runs downstairs and asks if their charade will end sometime soon. He says he loves his mother so much and wants her to be happy. Theresa says she wants to be happy too and that she loves him as well.

As Ethan and Gwen kiss, Pilar, Theresa and Little Ethan enter and Ethan tells Little E that he and Gwen are moving their wedding date up. Little Ethan is less than thrilled and Pilar asks Ethan if she can take Jane and Little E with her on her family trip. Ethan is taken aback because he’s not sure he wants to be separated from the kids, but Gwen thinks the timing is perfect so they can go on their honeymoon. Ethan isn’t sure, but Gwen convinces him it’s a good idea. Ethan tells Little E that the trip sounds like fun, but Little E yells that he won’t go and runs out of the room.

Theresa goes to check on Little Ethan who tells her he doesn’t want to be away from her. He wonders what will happen if she gets caught while he’s gone. Theresa tells him not to worry because she is coming with him. Little E is happy, but sad that his dad won’t be with them. He asks if there’s a way for them all to be together and Theresa regretfully says not right now.

Little E comes back in the room agreeing to go on the trip, but wants Gertrude to go with him. Everyone eventually agrees and Gwen is happy that she and Ethan are getting married. Ethan says, “This time it’s for keeps.” Theresa looks devastated, but Pilar tells her that they won’t be gone forever. Theresa tells Pilar that she will go on the trip and never return to Harmony.